How has your top 10 changed?

[Steve_Mack_CT]

1 hour ago, ericmac said:

I'll take it...but only if he'll throw in the Stutz in the background too! Actually,  that Derham body is one of my favorites. 

 

Eric, it's actually a "Nearcat" not a Bearcat.  Nicely done replica, the owner had just acquired it when that pic was taken.  One of my favorites as well!!

[lump]

LOVE this thread. 

 

I have a long and uncommon history with the love of cars. I drove a little gas-powered car made from mower parts in an old car parade in 1957, so I've been in the old car hobby long before I could write my name. Later, I graduated high school in 1972....just when LOTS of cool muscle cars were becoming cheap used cars on every corner lot. I became a locally-notorious street racer, owning (and tearing up) many big block Chevy cars, along with some Mopars and Pontiacs. I want SO many cars these days, from every different era. To play along, I'll try to make a list. Many of my choices are of cars I owned (or my family owned) that I wish I had again. In no particular order: 

1. 1940 Ford Deluxe coupe. My parents gave my wife and I a barn-found '40 coupe as a wedding present. I started a restoration, but sold it later in boxes (LONG story). There are many flathead V8 Fords that I absolutely love, so I wouldn't HAVE to have a '40 Deluxe coupe. From 1932 through 1940, I loved ALL the coupes and convertibles in their stock form. 

2. 1968 Impala 2-door hardtop, fastback body style, with factory 427 engine and 400 turbo trans. All black. (Bought it for $300. MAN, I miss that car!)

3. 1968 Camaro SS 396, 350 hp, 400 turbo automatic with console. Rally Green color is critical. I won more street races with this car than any other hot rod I ever owned. Unlike most street-driven hot cars, it really hooked up. And when you got out in front of a competitor who was driving a small block, they had no chance of coming from behind.

4. 1967 Impala 2-door fastback. Big block 4-speed or 400 turbo, console shifted. Bright red color. Those "coke-bottle" rear quarter panels make these some of the most beautiful cars ever. I had one...but let it slip away...

5. 1955-57 Chevrolet convertible. I learned to drive in Dad's 57 Bel Air convertible, white paint, black top, red/silver upholstery. I PLEADED with Dad to sell it to me, but he didn't want me to own it. It was quite rusty, and he argued that cars of that "modern era" could never be restored, due to unibody construction, unique roll-pressed vinyl interiors, vacuum-metalized emblems, diecast trim, anodized aluminum grilles, etc. (Remember, it was 1970, and at that time the restoration parts industry for these cars didn't exist). Later in life I actually found that car. But it was SO badly rusted away, that I decided to try and find a nicer example. (Hasn't happened, within my budget range, to this day). A 2-door hardtop would also be very nice! 

6. The "baddest," most radical street-racing car I ever owned was an original 1969 Nova SS 396 with the special high performance 396-375 hp RPO L78 engine, and a manually-shifted 400 turbo automatic transmission. It was a stripped-down special order car, with no radio, no carpet, column-shifted trans, bench seats, etc. I bought it with a rod hammering, and put my 427 engine in it. After seriously tuning the tires & suspension, this car would really hook up, in spite of the 4:56 to 1 rear end ratio. I would love to own one of these again. 

7. The "Belchfire," or something like it. When I was a kid, the biggest car show in southwestern Ohio was the Hamilton Parade, which was held in July. My Dad always drooled over a giant speedster which had been made from an early firetruck. It wore a brass script badge on the grille reading: "BELCHFIRE," and Dad loved it. But I'll admit that any true speedster of that era would also suffice...like a Mercer Raceabout, etc. I'm not that picky. 😜

8. 1968 or 1969 Dodge Charger (or Roadrunner) with 426 Hemi engine. I owned one 1969 Dodge Charger, with the famous 440 Magnum engine. Gorgeous, stylish, and powerful car. And, I often raced a friend of mine who owned a 440-powered 68 RT Charger with the 440 engine and column-shifted 440 engine. Great memories! 

9. Late 1920's Hupmobile or other big, quality car which has been converted to a tow truck. There was one like this for sale years ago, but I lacked funds and storage and TIME to do anything with it. Yet I often think of it...

10. 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR convertible. In my hometown area, there were two of these muscle cars running around (Dayton and Kettering, Ohio area). A yellow one and a blue one. These cars were really, really hot, and their owners were always looking for some action. They blew many doors off of competitors' cars on Woodman drive in my day...

Edited May 1, 2021 by lump (see edit history)

[lump]

Ok, so I'm cheating. I can't confine my list to 10 cars. Just can't. 

11. Hudson Hornet: In the early 1970's, when I was a kid just about to get his driver's license, my parents and some friends learned of a "barn-find" car that could be bought for cheap. It was a 1949 Hudson Commodore 6. The deceased owner had been an executive in one of the major distilleries in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area. When I first saw the car, I couldn't believe my Dad wanted it. It was covered with about a 1/4" of dust, and hadn't run in decades. The upholstery was under those hideous old scotch-plaid seat covers. But we drug it home, and in a couple hours, Dad had it running. And when he had detailed it and filled it with fresh fuel, it ran like a dream. I wondered if he might let me have it...but alas it was sold. Today I love those old bathtub stepdown Hudsons, along with other earlier Hudson cars. The bigger engine with twin H power appeals to me. 

12. 1966 Caprice, 2 door hardtop, all black, with factory 427 engine. I owned one of these as a kid...before I was allowed to own any car. I had talked myself into a deal that I couldn't escape (LONG story), so I hid the car at a nearby elderly lady's home for almost a year. (NOTE: the car shown below is the same model, but not my car). 

13. Studebaker Hawk. I have always loved the styling of these cars...especially the 1957 Silver or Golden Hawk models. I have seen some gorgeous restored versions, and some incredible restomod versions. I loved them all. 

14. Packard Super 8, open car. Or a Packard Darrin. Nuff said. 

15. 1934 Dodge pickup or 1937 Chevy pickup. Both of these trucks look so cool to me. I would like to have one with old patina-style paint in excellent mechanical condition, so I could drive it often on errands, etc, and simply park it right up among the modern transportation cars in the parking lot. 

16. 1940 or 41 Chevy coupe or convertible. When I was a kid learning to drive, my Dad found and bought a 1941 Chevy 4-door sedan which someone had transplanted a 283 V8 engine into. It looked tired on the outside, and I didn't think it was cool at all. But then Dad got it painted, re-installing the trim himself, and detailed the car to look 100 percent stock, and drove it to work every day. And it had glass pack mufflers. I WORSHIPPED that car, and so did my buddies on my block. 

17. 1969 Chevelle, SS 396, Monaco red (or Hugger Orange, if you prefer) with black vinyl roof. Prefer 375 hp L78 engine, and 400 turbo trans. 

18. 1969 Z28 Camaro. I had a wonderful 1969 Z, and miss it badly today. It was a magazine project car, and I wrote/photographed many how-to articles for magazines featuring it. I even used it as a cover car with models for a client's catalog which I photographed years ago. In the photo below, my younger brother posed with a professional "legs" model for the shot. 

19. 1921 Grant Six roadster. My parents found this car in a barn, literally, in the very early 1960's. They sold it unfinished, then years later I bought it back (still unfinished). But someone found out I had it, and came to my house with money in hand. So I sold it again...still in boxes. 

 

That's enough dreaming for now. More later...if that is allowed! LOL

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by lump (see edit history)

[edinmass]

That hot honey on the catalog cover is now in her 60’s........the big question? Does she have too much junk in her trunk today? 🤔

[Walt G]

I have been agonizing over this for some time, this list is not complete and in no specific order, this is about as detailed as I can get , maybe if I could list the top 20 or 30 or...............

Lincoln model L 1927-1930

Franklin 1931 - 1932 Airman sedan ( 5 or 7 passenger) - I "grew up" ( collecting wise) in a 1932 series 16 5 pass sedan.

Buick 1936 - 1942 series 70,80, 90 conv. sedan or sedan

Chrysler 8 cylinder 1931- 1939 conv. sedan or 7 pass sedan, town car.

Packard 1930-1937 touring, conv sedan, limousine, town car, conv victoria

Pierce Arrow 1930-37 sedan, touring, conv sedan, town car

Armstrong Siddeley "Siddeley Special" any body style ( prefer a sedan)

Rolls-Royce 1927-1932 Phantom I or Phantom II Left hand drive ( Springfield built or AJS) 4 door

Locomobile 1914-1929 four door open or enclosed body type

Bentley 1947-53 MkVI or R type saloon

Cadillac series 75 pre war

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by Walt G
spell correct (see edit history)

[motoringicons]

4 hours ago, edinmass said:

That hot honey on the catalog cover is now in her 60’s........the big question? Does she have too much junk in her trunk today? 🤔

 

They don't make hair like that anymore....

[ericmac]

That's enough dreaming for now. More later...if that is allowed! LOL

Completely allowed!

13 hours ago, Walt G said:

I have been agonizing over this for some time, this list is not complete and in no specific order, this is about as detailed as I can get , maybe if I could list the top 20 or 30 or...............

Lincoln model L 1927-1930

Franklin 1931 - 1932 Airman sedan ( 5 or 7 passenger) - I "grew up" ( collecting wise) in a 1932 series 16 5 pass sedan.

Buick 1936 - 1942 series 70,80, 90 conv. sedan or sedan

Chrysler 8 cylinder 1931- 1939 conv. sedan or 7 pass sedan, town car.

Packard 1930-1937 touring, conv sedan, limousine, town car, conv victoria

Pierce Arrow 1930-37 sedan, touring, conv sedan, town car

Armstrong Siddeley "Siddeley Special" any body style ( prefer a sedan)

Rolls-Royce 1927-1932 Phantom I or Phantom II Left hand drive ( Springfield built or AJS) 4 door

Locomobile 1914-1929 four door open or enclosed body type

Bentley 1947-53 MkVI or R type saloon

Cadillac series 75 pre war

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now this is a good list!

11 hours ago, motoringicons said:

 

They don't make hair like that anymore....

True. And maybe that's not all bad?

[Pilgrim65]

On 4/29/2021 at 12:39 AM, Peter Gariepy said:

 

👍

Was the pinto anything to do with the Uk ford Capri mk2  , bodywise look similar. Interested  as I had a 1973 3.0 s in apple green with deck chair stripped seats , great striking looking  fast car , loved it 

[1912Staver]

Same mechanical parts, but I don't think the basic body's share much other than suspension and power train pick up points. Capri is longer wheel base. The Pinto was first and foremost a sub compact economy car with almost no intent as a performance car . They actually could be made to handle reasonably well, but that is not how Ford marketed them.  More like a base model Ford Escort if you want a U.K. market comparison.

 Capri's { and Mustang 2's } sold very well in North America. Really two very different market segments. Pinto for commuters, students, wife's car, basic cheap wheels.  Capri { Mustang 2 } , sporty , fun , the next step up as people outgrew the need for a bare bones car like a Pinto.

[padgett]

I had a lot of Hertz Pintos in California. Were nice at the time but wouldn't want one now.

[zepher]

Ford used the Pinto 4 cylinder block as the basis for their turbo charged SVO Mustang.

[1912Staver]

One of the Pinto 4 cyl. blocks. The SVO is based on the third generation Pinto engine. The first 2 are most in demand with vintage racers , and have become both scarce and fairly expensive in recent years.  The later block is still common and cheap , but not what is needed for vintage racing.  They went for scrap by the tens of thousands in the later 1980's and 90's, these days people are actively stockpiling them. I have a few set aside myself { the 1600 push rod } , and would buy more if the price was reasonable.

 This is what they fit beside Pinto's.

First version , 1600 pushrod.

 

Base engine in the first few years of Pinto production.

Second version, 2000 S.O.H.C.

My Lola is white not green , but that's just a garden variety Pinto engine in there. Actually a very popular motorsport engine.

I wouldn't mind 2 or 3 more.  I hope to run the car for at least 10 more years, and the engines get a bit more hard to find each year. 

Edited May 3, 2021 by 1912Staver (see edit history)

[ericmac]

On 5/1/2021 at 12:01 AM, lump said:

LOVE this thread.

So glad you are enjoying it.  I am having a great time looking at it to see the cars that are interesting to others and their reasons why they are interested in them.

9 hours ago, Pilgrim65 said:

Was the pinto anything to do with the Uk ford Capri mk2  , bodywise look similar. Interested  as I had a 1973 3.0 s in apple green with deck chair stripped seats , great striking looking  fast car , loved it 

I don't think so. My uncle owned a 72 with the V6. It was quite a different car that the Pinto.

[padgett]

Used to be called Formula Ford. I played with one for a weekend at PBIR. Said you could not drift. Could.

[Paul Dobbin]

 

After 112 cars, my drean list is closer to my owned list because I would buy at least these 10 back if I could.

 

1957 Porsche Speedster

1957 Corvette

1934 Ford Phaeton

1915  Model T Touring

1948 Cadillac Conv.**

1958 Cadillac Biaritz**

1967 VW Beetle

1965 Mustang Conv.

1935 Ford Pickup 

1959 El Camino

** = My fathers cars

 

If I win $243,000,000 I could be dangerous.

There are others that tickel my fancy & memories.

1950 Jaguar 120 Roadster

1934 Chrysler Airflow Coupe

1940 Buick Conv.

1952  Renault 4CV

1959 Studebaker Lark VIII 2 DHTP

1963 Porsche Super 90 Cabriolet

1963 Myers Manx Dunebuggy

1956 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

1979 Nissan 280 ZX

1987 Pontiac Fiero GT

[Tph479]

Ferrari F40

Dodge Viper 1992-1994

Invicta 4 1/2 litre low chassis 

Duesenberg Model J. Any would do, but prefer J461

1932 Packard 900

1932-1934 packard Dietrich. Any body style.

Packard twin six

Locomobile brass era model 48

1930 packard 745 roadster

Jaguar xke

 

 

[ericmac]

12 minutes ago, Tph479 said:

Ferrari F40

Dodge Viper 1992-1994

Invicta 4 1/2 litre low chassis 

Duesenberg Model J. Any would do, but prefer J461

1932 Packard 900

1932-1934 packard Dietrich. Any body style.

Packard twin six

Locomobile brass era model 48

1930 packard 745 roadster

Jaguar xke

 

 

This is a list that would make many of us happy!

[car crazy]

On 5/1/2021 at 8:11 AM, edinmass said:

That hot honey on the catalog cover is now in her 60’s........the big question? Does she have too much junk in her trunk today? 🤔

Looks just about right from this angle....

[Flivverking]

I thought you were asking about women !

 

Boy am I in the wrong place...👹

[John S.]

My Top Ten

1929 Marmon Roosevelt

1932 Ford Sedan Delivery

1933 Willys 77,  any body style

1934 Chrysler Airflow

1947 Hudson Commodore 8 Coupe

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe

1957 Chevrolet Nomad or Convertible

1957 Mercury Montclair 2 door Hardtop

1961 Pontiac Ventura Sport Coupe

1967 Pontiac GTO Hardtop, 4 Speed